Father’s Day is June 17, and with this special day just around the corner maybe it’s time to plan a fun outing for your dad. Instead of picking up something last minute, check out these fun activities and events you can enjoy with that special person this Father’s Day weekend around San Diego County.

Downtown San Diego

Photo courtesy of Hornblower

Downtown San Diego is the perfect spot to celebrate Father’s Day. This bustling area has tons of options to keep you and your dad entertained, no matter what you choose. If you’d like to spend the day on a boat then head down to 1800 N Harbor Drive in downtown to enjoy a scenic boat cruise with Hornblower. This cruise company is offering a Father’s Day Beer Brunch cruise that includes a two-hour yacht cruise on the San Diego Bay. Not only will you enjoy a narrated tour and relaxing cruise along the bay, but the Father’s Day special also includes a private table, a full brunch and dessert buffet, bottomless beer, champagne, mimosas, or sparkling cider, and a complimentary pint glass to take home. If your dad would rather sleep in on his special day, the Hornblower also offers a three-hour Father’s Day Dinner Sunset Cruise, which departs at 6 p.m. and includes a private table, boarding glass of champagne or sparkling cider, a seated three-course dinner menu, complimentary coffee and tea, and DJ entertainment and dancing.

If your dad doesn’t have his sea legs and would rather listen to some music while enjoying good food, then the Father’s Day Jazz Brunch at the Westgate Hotel in downtown is the best option. For $75 per person, enjoy live jazz music from the ArtSound Trio while drinking micro-brews and eating from Westgate’s award-winning brunch menu. Each father will also receive a unique Westgate beer pint to take home. 

Gaslamp Quarter

Photo courtesy of Café Sevilla

If your dad is a foodie then take his taste buds on an international adventure at one of the many eateries in San Diego’s historic Gaslamp Quarter. Enjoy Spanish cuisine with the Father’s Day nine-course tapas brunch at Café Sevilla from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dads will receive a complimentary lobster tail on their meat paella rupestre prepared by Chef Miguel. If the free lobster tail isn’t a good enough selling point, this restaurant has much more to offer, including live Cuban music, specialty cocktails and mimosas, and kids 12 and under can enjoy a six-course meal for only $20.

Another option in this neighborhood is The Oceanaire Seafood Room, an upscale seafood restaurant that hosts a special Dine with Dad event. Dads can enjoy a classic surf and turf dinner menu that includes a 10-ounce, center-cut filet paired with one of their seafood selections, which include whole, steamed lobster, jumbo shrimp scampi, or crab cakes, all for $75. 

Coronado

Photo courtesy of Hotel Del Coronado

For a Father’s Day concert and BBQ, head to Coronado to enjoy music from Gary Sinise & The Lieutenant Dan Band. Named after actor Gary Sinise’s popular character in the film Forrest Gump, Gary Sinise and his band will play at the Hotel Del Coronado for an all-day event that celebrates Father’s Day as well as supports veterans through the Gary Sinise Foundation. The band will play covers from musical artists like the Police, Stevie Wonder, Bruno Mars, Bruce Springsteen, and more. The event also includes a tasty BBQ menu for purchase, a performance from Skydiving Innovations, and a cash bar.

Del Mar

Photo courtesy of San Diego International Beer Festival

If your dad is a beer connoisseur or just likes to drink beer, then the San Diego International Beer Festival is the place to go. Located in Del Mar, the fest is held from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., starting June 15 and ending on Father’s Day. This event will have educational demonstrations by industry professionals on the fest’s Beer Stage, which will teach guests about food and dessert pairings with beer, as well as the “science behind the suds.” Vendors will be there selling specialty items across the board, including brewed beer bones, craft beer art, clothing, and brews from around the world. With almost 200 breweries present, it is California’s biggest beer festival. Check out the pavilion for contests, games, rare beer tappings, and more.

The Fairmont Grand Del Mar is another great option to honor your father on his special day. Dads can enjoy one free round of golf on the Tom Fazio-designed golf course on Sunday, June 17 at the Grand Golf Club. Or you can treat your dad to the Golf Revitalization Massage that’s designed to alleviate neck and shoulder pain, relax the hips and lower back, and increase range of motion—perfect for dads who are avid golfers and suffer from these pain points during their golf game. Afterwards, they can unwind with a craft beer at the spa or enjoy fine dining at the Clubhouse Grill or Amaya.

Encinitas

Photo courtesy of Lazy Acres Market

If you’re looking for a family-friendly event this Father’s Day weekend, head to Lazy Acres Market in Encinitas. There you’ll find two fun cooking events that are perfect for small children and fathers. Saturday’s first class is My Mini Chef + Me (Daddy): Father’s Day Wings, where dads and kids can make sparkling drinks, a dry rub for wings, veggie crudité, and berry cobblers and ice cream. The second class is (Dad) Cook with Your Kid: Father’s Day Sliders, where you’ll both learn how to properly season meats and make sliders, baked mac n’ cheese, and honey cornbread. So come hungry and leave happy. 

Bonita

Photo courtesy of Bonita Valley Community Church

At the Bonita Valley Community Church in Bonita you’ll find the Father’s Day Car Show where you and your dad can see hot rods, lowriders, muscle cars, trucks, motorcycles, street rods, moderns, and classic cars. If your dad has a car he would like to show off, then he can put it on display at this event, which doesn’t require an entry fee.